Home for the Weekend by Nicole Ryan

              I ran across the wet pavement as the orange hand flashed at me, my boots thumping, and the peppermint latte’s sloshing in the Starbucks cups as I held the drink carrier in one hand.
    “Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.” I chanted as I hurried along, swinging my unruly purse higher on my shoulder as I did so.
    I hopped up onto the sidewalk just as the light turned and the first cars began to cross the road, the sun was just coming up in muted orange and pink against the partially cloudy sky.
    “Didn’t trip.” I laughed at myself, smiling at the receptionist as I pulled the heavy glass door of the building before me open.
    “Hey Chaste.” The receptionist, Alma said as I entered in a swirl of chilly air.
    “Hey doll.” I smiled at her , and sat one of the Latte’s on the desk as I crossed the pretty yellow lobby, warm with Christmas decorations and an elegant tree decorated purely in silver and white, and stepped into the elevator.
    “Thank you!” She called and I waved at her before the door slid closed.
    I sipped my hot coffee as I waited on the elevator to rise to the top floor, it was way early, not even seven thirty yet, but this shoot was supposed to be over before dinner so everyone could get back home to their families. The doors slid open and I stepped onto the shiny white laminate flooring, my boots clapping loudly in the empty apartment.
    “I hear feet!” Someone called from the kitchen.
    I walked in and placed my things down on the long breakfast bar and a beautiful man with short, stylish curly hair came waltzing around the open half wall holding his hands out to me. He wasn’t an inch taller than I was, and I thought he would almost seem tiny if he weren’t so buff, he kissed my cheeks, holding my hands in his.
    “ You must be Chaste.” He sang, a quirky little smile tugging at the corner of his mouth before he clasped his hands flamboyantly under his chin and gazed at me.
    “Yes.” I sighed, grinning at him before I took another sip of my coffee.
    “You are sublimely beautiful, girl. I’m a big fan of your Peril Girls spread, the one with the guns… Gawd!   It was fantastic. ”
    “Wow, thank you…” I said, and shifted my weight from one foot to the other, I never really knew how to respond to people complementing my nude photo shoots.
    “You’re nervous?” He asked , his tight mauve shirt hugged his sculpted biceps and accentuated his crisp green eyes.
    “Yes, very.” I replied, looking around at the familiar surroundings with new nerves in my stomach. I felt as if I hadn’t been in this room a hundred times before.
    “Don’t be, you’re working with someone great today.” He said, almost conspiratorially. “This is your first video shoot right?” He asked.
    “Yeah.” I looked down at my coffee, and circled the lid with my finger.
    “Well don’t you worry honey, Jesse James is the best there is.” He winked, and I smiled gratefully at him. The name was familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it.
    “What time is he supposed to be here?” I asked.
    “Oh, I’m always early; everyone should start to show up within the next few minutes. Feel free to use the facilities to freshen up if you want to. Then meet me in the bathroom for hair and… well, we will just touch up the makeup you’ve already got on, I’m Anthony.” He winked before taking a small box from the counter behind him and sashaying out of the kitchen.
    I took my bag and pulled my coat back on, taking a small Virginia super slim out of its dainty pack and stepping out onto the back patio. I lit my cigarette and watched as more cars crawled into the streets. I pulled up my latest read on my Kindle, and took another drag while I devoured Anne Rice’s intoxicating words. I turned when I heard the glass door behind me slide open, and then softly closed.
    “Hey.” He said as he cupped his palm around his lighter and lit his cigarette , glancing at me